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Kane still tops Class of 2007

Note: NHL.com will take a look back at the NHL drafts from five, 10 and 15 years ago this week leading up to the 2012 NHL Draft in Pittsburgh. How would a redux of those drafts look today?

The 2007 draft was the beginning of an American revolution of sorts -- U.S. kids went 1-2 in the draft for the first time and a record 10 went in the first round, a number that was matched the following year.

Another storyline on draft day was the fall of two prominent prospects. Angelo Esposito was considered the top player in this draft class as a 16-year-old, but his stock fell and he ended up at No. 20 to Pittsburgh. Alexei Cherepanov was the top-rated European prospect and another contender for the No. 1 spot, and he dropped to the New York Rangers at No. 17.

NHL DRAFT REDUX

Five years later, Patrick Kane is the undisputed top player from the Class of 2007. Choosing the guy who would go No. 2 could be an interesting discussion, but San Jose's Logan Couture has a pretty strong case.

This draft has not produced a lot of impact players to this point, and there are tiered drop-offs right around the Nos. 10 and 20 picks.

Another theme from this draft -- it was a black hole at goaltender. Granted, it is only five years out and it is a position that takes a long time to develop, but the goalies from the 2007 NHL Draft have combined to play in 12 NHL games -- Allen York had 11 for Columbus this past season and Timo Pielmeier played one for Anaheim in 2010-11.

As a reminder after completing this exercise last June, this draft re-do does involve a fair amount of projection. A lot of these players are not fully developed yet, and this list could look dramatically different two years or five years from now. Looking back at the 2002 and 1997 drafts in the coming days will involve a lot less projection.

So, here's what the 2007 NHL Draft might look like if there was a do-over in June 2012:

Rank

Player

Drafted

Skinny

1

Patrick Kane

1

Easy choice here -- the only franchise player to come from this draft

2

Logan Couture

9

Got a later start, but back-to-back outstanding seasons for San Jose

3

Jamie Benn

129

Another guy just getting started, could make many all-star teams with Dallas

4

PK Subban

43

Dynamic and fun to watch, the best defenseman in this class …

5

Ryan McDonagh

12

… unless this guy passes him; both can be No. 1 guys in this League

6

Karl Alzner

5

Two great seasons, lacks offensive upside but can be an elite No. 2 d-man

7

David Perron

26

Could still be the No. 2 guy from this class, but concussion slowed him

8

Max Pacioretty

22

Great season, even without the injury from the year before; top-line forward

9

Kevin Shattenkirk

14

Third wheel in Erik Johnson-Chris Stewart trade -- he's better than both of them

10

James van Riemsdyk

2

Injuries and depth have slowed him; still a top-line power forward in there

11

Wayne Simmonds

61

28 goals might be high, but could score 20-25 consistently with all kinds of jam

12

Brandon Sutter

11

Can be a top shutdown center with a splash of offense

13

Sam Gagner

6

Had one great week in '11-12, otherwise still not a No. 2 center for a contender

14

Kyle Turris

3

Looked like a bust, but move to Ottawa offers hope he's a late bloomer

15

Jakub Voracek

7

Another guy who benefited from a trade; a solid secondary scorer

16

Carl Hagelin

168

Nice rookie season, and he's really, really, really fast

17

Carl Gunnarsson

194

Several d-men in Toronto make more money, but aren't as solid

18

Brendan Smith

27

Red Wings have taken their time, but could be a top-four d-man next year

19

Alec Martinez

95

No. 6 defenseman on a title winner with some room still to grow

20

Lars Eller

13

Could be a nice long-term fit as Montreal's No. 3 center

21

Justin Falk

110

One of several young rearguards with promise in Minnesota

22

T.J. Galiardi

55

Has three more NHL goals, two less points in one less game than Turris

23

Ian Cole

18

Like Smith, Blues have been patient but talent is there

24

Matt Frattin

99

Scored 27 goals in 36 AHL games, should be full-time in Toronto next year

25

Matt Halischuk

117

Had a 15-goal season for Nashville, but sat for much of the postseason